The Cavaliers’ victory parade Wednesday morning will begin at Quicken Loans Arena, down the block from Progressive Field. So close, so far.

The love-fest for the Cavaliers is expected to draw hundreds of thousands to downtown Cleveland for both exhale and exhilaration over the city’s first title since 1964. The Indians – that would be the first-place Indians – have a 7 p.m. start next door to the Q and, well, do not expect the love to continue.

One of the understated, important stories in the majors is the Indians’ continuing inability to draw fans. Despite being first in the AL Central, Cleveland is last in the majors in attendance, averaging fewer than 17,000 fans per game. Pick your reasons, from lack of downtown population to demographics to economics.

But even playing in an attractive ballpark with an overachieving team has not sparked an attendance surge, and there is wonder – short of bringing in, perhaps, a hometown hero like LeBron James (and good luck with that in baseball) – how that will change any time soon. And if it doesn’t change, can the Indians ever make the kind of trade they need to upgrade their offense to make a run at their first title since 1948?

LeBron James and the Cavaliers celebrate after winning the NBA title.AP

Yep, the Indians are the longest-running championship-less team in Cleveland – and the second longest in the majors behind the Cubs. They came agonizingly close in 1997, which is why Jose Mesa was among the names the Akron-bred James invoked in the aftermath of the Cavalier triumph.

But now that the Indians do not have to carry the onus of not only winning a title, but doing so to end an entire city’s sports hex, will life be easier?

“For us, it does not change anything,” said Chris Antonetti, the Indians’ president of baseball operations. “We placed enough of a burden and enough pressure on ourselves to win a World Series.”

Cleveland went into Tuesday leading the AL Central by one game over defending champion Kansas City despite having arguably its best player, Michael Brantley, for just 11 games this season. The outfielder had offseason shoulder surgery, tried to return in late April and needed to be shut down again soon after.

Antonetti said “it is our hope and belief” that Brantley will return this season. But he added, “There is no timetable.” Shoulders are tricky. Without Brantley, Cleveland is missing a player who had 127 extra-base hits between 2014-15 (two more than Miguel Cabrera).

Michael BrantleyAP

In his absence, shortstop Francisco Lindor has validated what we saw in his 2015 rookie campaign – that he is a two-way star. Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana have delivered power. Rookie outfielder Tyler Naquin has a 1.201 OPS in June. Still, there just is not enough offense. There probably would not be even with Brantley.

Cleveland has a young power rotation in which 2014 AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber has taken a step or two back, but Danny Salazar has emerged as a star. It is a rotation that can win now, perhaps shine in the postseason. But can the Indians get the bat at third base or in the outfield, plus perhaps augment their bullpen to improve their postseason chances?

“We cannot add a huge contract to our books,” Antonetti conceded. “That is not how we are structured now or moving forward.”

So, for example, Ryan Braun or anyone of that ilk is a no. But it goes beyond that. The Indians always have to judge if giving up future, inexpensive assets is worth taking a shot on any win-now piece. Besides Naquin, the Indians have well-regarded Double-A outfielders Clint Frazier and Bradley Zimmer. They can help Cleveland land an impact bat. They also are the future cheap labor a team that struggles with attendance like the Indians must have.

“It is always a balance,” Antonetti said.

The Cavaliers did not have that. Their owner, Dan Gilbert, groveled and got LeBron back, and then kept writing checks to put a deep roster around him, whether it was maxing out Kevin Love or paying Tristan Thompson, etc. The proof of the success is the parade that begins Wednesday at The Q, a couple of basketball courts from Progressive’s left field.